JPH06348367A - Cartridge attaching mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] To provide a cartridge mounting mechanism that easily inserts and removes an optional cartridge while the power is off and surely prohibits it when the power is on. [Structure] When power is turned on, a drive shaft 1 rotates to rotate a cam 2 with a built-in torque clutch, and the cam 2 moves a slider 4 to the right to move two stoppers 9 provided on the slider 4 to the right. Then, it abuts against the plunger 19 of the solenoid 3 and stops. The stopper 9 advances to the back of the insertion port lid 13 when the cartridge is not mounted, and advances into the side groove of the cartridge when the cartridge is mounted to prohibit the insertion of the cartridge. Immediately after the power supply is cut off, the one-shot pulse generation circuit operates to supply the main power supply to the solenoid 3 via the cutoff delay circuit. The solenoid 3 attracts the plunger 19 for the cutoff delay period of the main power source to attract the cam 2
, And the cam 2 releases the lock with the slider 4. By this release, the slider 4 (stopper 9) is moved to the left by the urging force of the spiral spring 10, and the prohibition of inserting the cartridge is released.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cartridge mounting mechanism for prohibiting insertion of an optional cartridge while power is on.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a ROM (Read Only Memory) is built in an optional cartridge that is used by being mounted in a cartridge insertion opening (slot) of a printer or the like. This ROM stores a system program for print processing operation corresponding to a host device such as a personal computer used by a user. Therefore, by selectively mounting various cartridges, one printer can perform print processing corresponding to various host computers.

Incidentally, as shown in FIGS. 9 (a) and 9 (b), the slot of this option cartridge is usually not provided with an electrical safety device or the like. In most cases, as shown in (a) of the same figure, a note such as "Please do not insert the cartridge when the power is on" is simply attached near the slot. Once the cartridge is inserted into the slot, the exposed surface of the cartridge that faces the outside from the slot is almost flush with the outer surface of the main body cover, and no special jig is used. Some of them cannot be pulled out by hand.

[0004]

However, in general, there are only a few users who carefully read the above-mentioned precautionary notes, and normally, when an option cartridge is exchanged, the option cartridge is immediately and carelessly inserted. I often go to. In such a case, latch-up (abnormal operation peculiar to the CMOS circuit, abnormal current continues to flow between the power supply and ground) often occurs in the option cartridge side or the printer malfunctions. In the worst case,
There is a risk that the controller circuit of the printer body will be damaged.

However, in order to prevent such a danger, it is not easy to replace the optional cartridge if the cartridge cannot be pulled out by hand once it is inserted into the slot, as in the other examples described above. The user remains dissatisfied with the fact that he cannot easily utilize the system that makes the printer compatible with various host devices by exchanging optional cartridges.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above conventional circumstances, it is an object of the present invention to provide a cartridge mounting mechanism that facilitates insertion of an optional cartridge during power-off and surely prohibits during power-on.

[0007]

The present invention is applied to a cartridge mounting mechanism of an electronic device in which a storage device in the form of a cartridge is detachably configured.

The structure of the cartridge mounting mechanism according to the present invention will be described below. First, it has a drive source that operates during the power-on period of the electronic device. The drive source is, for example, a drive shaft or the like.

Next, there is a locking means which is configured to be detachable from the cartridge inserted into the insertion / removal path of the cartridge, and which is interlocked with the drive source and which is displaced to a position for locking the cartridge. The locking means is, for example, as described in claim 2, when the cartridge is not inserted into the insertion / removal path during the power-on period of the electronic device,
The lid member that covers the insertion / removal opening of the insertion / removal path is displaced to a position where the lid member is locked. The locking means is, for example, a stopper or the like.

Further, it has a holding means for holding the locking means at a position for locking the cartridge. The holding means is, for example, a cam with a built-in torque clutch. Further, the electronic device has a power supply maintaining means for maintaining the power supply for a predetermined time at the same time when the electronic device is shut off. The power supply maintaining means includes, for example, a power supply maintaining circuit, a one-shot pulse generating circuit, and the like.

Further, there is provided a releasing means which operates by being supplied with power from the power source maintaining means and which opens the holding means. The releasing means is, for example, a solenoid or the like.

[0012]

Therefore, according to the present invention, first, when the driving source operating during the power-on period of the electronic device causes the locking means to lock the cartridge inserted into the cartridge insertion / removal path or the cartridge is not inserted. When the cover member is displaced to a position for locking the lid member covering the insertion / removal opening of the insertion / removal path, the holding means holds the locking position of the locking means.

As a result, during the power-on period, the insertion of the cartridge is prohibited and the safety of the device is guaranteed. next,
The releasing means is operated by being supplied with power for a predetermined time by the power maintaining means at the same time when the power of the electronic device is cut off, and opens the holding means.

As a result, the cartridge can be easily inserted while the power is cut off.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view of a cartridge mounting device according to one embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a front view thereof.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cartridge mounting apparatus is connected to a drive source (not shown) and is always rotated while the power is turned on. A drive shaft 1 has a built-in torque clutch at the tip thereof. A cam 2 attached via the cam 2, a solenoid 3 arranged in the vicinity of the cam 2, and a slider 4 (see FIG. 2) in which one tip bent at a right angle is located in the middle of the cam 2 and the solenoid 3. ing. Further, the solenoid 3 and the side frame 6 fixedly provided with a bearing 5 through which the drive shaft 1 penetrates, a main board 7 mounted with a control circuit and connected to the side frame 6, and the slider 4 are slidable. A slider semi-fixing screw 8 for supporting, two stoppers 9 formed at right angles in the horizontal direction at the middle portion and the other end portion of the slider 4, and the other end portion of the slider 4 are engaged with the slider 4 and left in the figure. It is provided with a spiral spring 10 for giving a biasing force to one side, and a cover 11 for accommodating and protecting the above respective parts. Two cartridge insertion openings 12 for inserting the cartridges are provided on the front surface of the cover 11, and an insertion opening lid 13 that rotates upward in the apparatus is attached to the two cartridge insertion openings 12. Behind the insertion port lid 13, a guide arm 14 for accommodating the cartridge to be inserted at a predetermined position is arranged. A cartridge connecting connector 15 joined to a cartridge to be inserted and a slider semi-fixing screw 8 for supporting the slider 4 are slidably held at the rear portion of the guide arm 14 and the sliding range thereof is constant on the left and right sides in FIG. A slider stop 16 that limits the distance is provided.

The slider 4 is displaced to the right in the figure when the power is turned on and to the left in the figure when the power is turned off by the functions of the cam 2 and the solenoid 3, which will be described in detail later, and the urging force of the spiral spring 10. Displace in one direction. The slider 4 shown in the figure shows the position during power-off.

Next, referring to FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b), the stopper 9,
The mutual relationship between the cartridge insertion opening 12 and the insertion opening lid 13 (details of a portion D surrounded by a broken line in FIG. 1) is shown. Figure (a)
FIG. 4A is a front view of the section D (left in the figure) and a side sectional view thereof (right in the figure) when the power is turned off (OFF). As shown on the left side of the figure, when the power is turned off, the stopper 9 moves to the left side of the figure and its tip is separated from the cartridge insertion opening 12 and the insertion opening lid 13. Therefore, as shown on the right side of FIG.
Is a dotted arrow E in the figure without being interfered by the stopper 9.
It is easily rotated upward inside the device shown by. by this,
The cartridge can be inserted arbitrarily when the power is turned off.

On the other hand, when the power source is turned on as shown in FIG. 2B, the stopper 9 is moved to the right as shown in the left side of FIG. To move behind. Therefore, as shown on the right side of the figure, the insertion port lid 13 is blocked by the stopper 9 and cannot rotate upward inside the device. As a result, the insertion of the cartridge is prohibited when the power is turned on.

FIG. 4 shows the cartridge insertion port 12 and
The relationship with the cartridge inserted in this is shown. Same figure
(a) is the cartridge insertion slot 12 before inserting the cartridge
Side sectional view (state without cartridge) (B- in FIG. 1
FIG. 11B is a side sectional view of the cartridge insertion port 12 (cartridge mounted state) after the cartridge is inserted. The insertion opening lid 13 is supported by the support member 17, and as described above, when the power is turned off, the inside of the device is moved upward (see FIG.
It easily rotates in the direction of arrow E in (a). And the same figure
As shown in (b), the cartridge 18 is mounted. A groove 18-1 is provided on one side surface of the cartridge 18 (on the side opposite to the drawing) in the vicinity of the rear of the cartridge insertion opening 12, and the tip of the stopper 9 is turned on / off in the groove 18-1. It moves back and forth according to the disconnection (see Figures 3 (a) and 3 (b)).

That is, when the cartridge 18 is mounted in the cartridge insertion opening 12, the tip of the stopper 9 is withdrawn from the groove 18-1 when the power is turned off, whereby the cartridge 18 can be withdrawn arbitrarily. On the other hand, when the power is turned on, the tip of the stopper 9 enters the groove 18-1 to prevent the cartridge from protruding.

As described above, when the cartridge 18 is mounted, the power is turned on / off in the groove 18-1 of the cartridge 18 and behind the insertion port lid 13 of the cartridge insertion port 12 when the cartridge is not mounted. The operation of the slider 4 which moves the stopper 9 forward and backward accordingly will be described below.

FIG. 5 (a) is a sectional view of the cam 2 involved in the sliding of the slider 4 in the left-right direction shown in FIG. 1, that is, the advance / retreat of the stopper 9 and the tip of the drive shaft 1 for driving the cam 2 ( 1 is a view taken along the line AA 'in FIG. 1, and FIG. 1B is a side sectional view thereof (a view taken along the line CC' in FIG. 1).

As shown in FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b), the tip of the drive shaft 1 is cut in half in parallel with the axis to form a D-cut portion 1-1 having a D-shaped cross section. The D cut portion 1-1 is connected to the cam rotating portion 2 via the bearing 2-1 of the cam 2.
-2 in the central empty space 2-3. This central room 2
-3 is formed with a ridge 2-4 having an angle of about 60 degrees, and the ridge-shaped tip of the ridge 2-4 is the cutting surface axis of the D-cut portion 1-1 of the drive shaft 1. Is in contact with. When the power is turned on, the drive shaft 1 rotates in the clockwise direction shown by the arrow F in the figure, and the left half of the cutting surface of the D-cut section 1-1 shown in (a) of the figure is the left side of the protrusion 2-4. The cam rotation unit 2-2 is rotated by pressing the slopes. The cam rotating portion 2-2 transmits the rotational driving force to the cam portion 2-6 via the torque clutch 2-5. Torque clutch 2-5
Transmits a torque equal to or less than a certain value between the cam rotating portion 2-2 and the cam portion 2-6, and when the torque exceeds the certain value, the cam rotating portion 2-2 does not move with respect to the cam portion 2-6. Slips.
The cam 2 is an E-ring 2 that is locked to the tip of the D-cut portion 1-1.
-7 prevents falling off.

FIG. 6 (a) shows the arrangement of the cam 2 having such a structure, the slider 4 and the solenoid 3 described above. The figure shows the state when the power is turned off. In this state, the cam portion 2-6 of the cam 2 faces leftward in the figure and stops, and the slider 4 is moved leftward by the biasing force of the spiral spring 10 shown in FIG. That is, the stopper 9 arranged on the slider 4 is retracted from the inside of the groove 18-1 of the cartridge 18 or the back of the insertion port lid 13 in which the cartridge is not mounted (FIG. 3).
(See (a)). At this time, the solenoid 3 is not energized,
The plunger (rod piston) 19 is in the open position (non-suction position).

Here, when the power is turned on, the drive shaft 1
Starts rotating in the clockwise direction indicated by arrow F, and the left half surface of the cutting surface of the D-cut portion 1-1, the left slope surface of the protrusion 2-4,
The cam portion 2-6 is rotated via the cam rotating portion 2-2 and the torque clutch 2-5. This cam portion 2-6 is shown in the same figure.
As shown in (b), the tip 4 of the slider 4 bent at a right angle
The slider 4 is slidably contacted with -1 and further rotated to move the slider 4 to the right as indicated by an arrow G, and abut on the tip of the plunger 19 and stop as shown in FIG. 7 (a). The tip end 4-1 of the slider 4 comes out of the sliding contact with the cam portion 2-6 and slides slightly to the right, and then stops at the lower end of the inclined portion of the cam portion 2-6. As a result, the stopper 9 arranged on the slider 4 advances into the groove 18-1 of the cartridge 18 or behind the insertion port lid 13 in which the cartridge is not mounted (FIG. 3).
(See (b)). During the subsequent power-on, the torque acting between the cam rotating portion 2-2 and the cam portion 2-6 exceeds a certain value due to the forced stop of the cam portion 2-6 by the plunger 19, and the cam rotating portion 2-2 is driven. It slides with respect to the cam portion 2-6 together with the shaft 1.

Next, when the power is turned off, the cut-off delay circuit (not shown) of the main body operates to protect the control circuit and the main power supply is continued for several seconds (usually about 5 seconds). In the present embodiment, a 1 (one) shot pulse generation circuit described later is provided, and when the power is cut off, the main power source delayed by the cutoff is supplied to the solenoid 3 by the 1 shot pulse generation circuit. The solenoid 3 is supplied with the main power whose delay has been cut off and energized, and as shown in FIG. 7B, attracts the plunger 19 to the right in the figure.
By this suction, the engagement between the plunger 19 and the cam portion 2-6 is released. By releasing this locking, the cam portion 2
-6 instantly rotates and descends due to the pressing force received from the tip end 4-1 of the slider 4 via the inclined portion of the cam portion 2-6 and its own weight. By the rotation and lowering of the cam portion 2-6, the unlocked slider 4 is moved leftward by the urging force of the spiral spring 10. That is, the stopper 9 is the cartridge 18
Insertion groove 13 in the groove 18-1 or in the cartridge not mounted
Exit from behind.

The D-cut portion 1-1 of the drive shaft 1, which is disengaged from the slope of the protrusion 2-4 by the rotation and lowering of the cam 2-6, continues to rotate by the delay of interruption and resumes protrusion again. The cam portion 2-6 is brought into contact with the slope 2-4, and the cam portion 2-6 is rotated to return to the state shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 (a) shows a one-shot pulse generation circuit for supplying the main power source, which has been cut off and delayed when the power source is cut off, to the solenoid 3, and FIG. 8 (b) shows its operation timing.

The one-shot pulse generation circuit shown in FIG.
When the power is turned on, the power supply voltage AC100V is rectified through the bridge diode 36, and the voltage dividing resistors 21 and 2 are rectified.
The voltage is divided by 2 to generate the voltage A. This voltage A is
The voltage is smoothed by the balancing capacitor 23, suppressed to a constant voltage by the Zener diode (commercial name of constant voltage diode) 24, and input to the inverting input terminal of the comparator 28.

On the other hand, the main power source Vcc33 generated from the above power source is divided by the voltage dividing resistors 25 and 26 to generate the reference voltage B. The reference voltage B is smoothed by the balancing capacitor 27 and input to the non-inverting input terminal of the comparator 28.

The output side of the comparator 28 is connected to the base of a transistor 37, and the main power supply Vcc 34 is also connected to the base of the transistor 37 via a pull-up resistor 29. The transistor 37 has a configuration in which the emitter is grounded. On the collector side, the solenoid 3 shown in FIG. 1 is connected to the main power source 35, the resistor 32 is connected in series with the diode 30, and the diode 30 is connected to the main power source 35.
(Volt) power is supplied. The diode 30 is provided to prevent back electromotive force.

As shown in FIG. 3B, each of the voltage dividing resistors 2
By appropriately setting the resistance values of 1, 22, 25, and 27, the voltage A is configured to be higher than the reference voltage B during the power-on period t1. Therefore, in the period t1 when the power is ON, the comparator 28 has "input at the inverting input terminal (voltage A)> input at the non-inverting input terminal (reference voltage B)", and therefore its output side is at "L" level. There is. Therefore, the voltage C applied to the base of the transistor 37 is also at "L" level. Therefore, the transistor 37 is off during the period t1 when the power is on, so that the solenoid 3 is not energized (see FIGS. 6 (b) and 7 (a)).

When the power is turned off at time T0 shown in FIG. 8 (b), the voltage A immediately becomes "L" level. On the other hand, the reference voltage B divided from the main power source Vcc33 passing through the cutoff delay circuit continues for the cutoff delay period (from time T0 to T1) and then gradually until the stored amount of the capacitor 27 becomes zero. descend.

Therefore, in the period t2 of turning off the power shown in FIG. 7B, during the period t that is a combination of the period of the cutoff delay and the period of gradually decreasing the reference voltage B, the comparator 28 operates as "inverted input terminal". Input (voltage A) <input of non-inverting input terminal (reference voltage B) ”, the output side becomes high impedance. As a result, a few meters from the main power supply Vcc34, which is delayed in cutoff, through the pull-up resistor 29.
A current (= voltage C) of A (milliamperes) is supplied to the base of the transistor 37. As a result, the transistor 37 is turned on, and by this turning on, a current of 24 V is supplied to the solenoid 3 from the main power supply 35, which is delayed in shutoff, through the resistor 32. This allows the solenoid 3
Is activated, and the plunger 19 is sucked to the right as shown in FIG. 7 (b) only during the period t.

As described above, in this embodiment, the open plunger 1 of the cam 2 and the solenoid 3 is turned on while the power is on.
9, the stopper 9 is moved to the cartridge insertion prohibition position, and when the power is turned off, the one-shot pulse generation circuit uses the cutoff delay current when the main power supply is turned off to release the stopper 9 from the prohibition position. .

In this embodiment, the transistor 3
NPN junction type transistor is used for 7, but NPN
The PNP junction transistor may be used instead of the junction transistor. In this case, the comparator 2 is used.
The connection shown in FIG. 8A may be changed so that the reference voltage B is input to the inverting input terminal of 8 and the voltage A is input to the non-inverting input terminal.

[0038]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, it is possible to surely prevent the option cartridge from being inserted while the power is turned on, so that it is possible to prevent the risk of malfunction of the printer or damage to the circuit. In addition, since it is possible to prevent the option cartridge from being improperly inserted while the user is turning on the power, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of complaints due to the user's mistaken operation. Further, since the safety device is composed of the hardware mechanism and the circuit, when either the hardware or the circuit fails, the insertion of the optional cartridge can be prohibited regardless of whether the power is turned on or off. Therefore, in the event of a failure, the insertion of the optional cartridge is prohibited until the inspection by the specialized maintenance personnel, and safety is improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a cartridge mounting device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the cartridge mounting device.

FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating a mutual relationship between a stopper, a cartridge insertion opening, and an insertion opening lid when power is turned off and FIG. 3B is when power is turned on.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a relationship between a cartridge insertion port and an inserted cartridge.

5A is a view taken along the line AA ′ of FIG. 1, and FIG. 5B is a view of C of FIG.
It is a C'arrow view.

FIG. 6 (a) is during power-off, (b) is immediately after power-on,
It is a figure which shows the state of a cam, a slider, and a solenoid.

FIG. 7 (a) is during power-on, (b) is immediately after power-off,
It is a figure which shows the state of a cam, a slider, and a solenoid.

FIG. 8A is a diagram showing a one-shot pulse generation circuit,
(b) is a diagram showing the operation timing.

9A and 9B are diagrams illustrating a slot insertion state of a conventional option cartridge.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Drive Shaft 1-1 D Cut Part 2 Cam 2-1 Bearing 2-2 Cam Rotating Part 2-3 Central Part Vacancy 2-4 Protruding Line 2-5 Torque Clutch 2-6 Cam Part 2-7 E-ring 3 Solenoid 4 Slider 5 Bearing 6 Side Frame 7 Main Board 8 Slider Semi-Fixed Screw 9 Stopper 10 Spiral Spring 11 Cover 12 Cartridge Insertion Port 13 Insertion Port Cover 14 Guide Arm 15 Cartridge Connector 16 Slider Stop 17 Supporting Member 18 Cartridge 18-1 Groove 19 Plunger 20 1-shot pulse generation circuit 21, 22, 25, 26 Voltage dividing resistor 23, 27 Balance capacitor 24 Zener diode 28 Comparator 29 Pull-up resistor 30 Diode 32 Resistor 33, 34 Direct main power supply V _CC 36 Transistor A voltage B standard power Pressure C base input

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁵ Identification code Office reference number FI technical display location 7165-5B G06F 1/00 320 J

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A cartridge mounting mechanism for an electronic device, wherein a storage device in the form of a cartridge is configured to be removable, and a drive source that operates during a power-on period of the electronic device, and the cartridge inserted into an insertion / removal path of the cartridge. Locking means that is configured to be disengageable with the driving source, and that is displaced in conjunction with the drive source to a position that locks the cartridge; and holding means that holds the locking means at a position that locks the cartridge, A cartridge comprising: a power supply maintaining means for maintaining a power supply for a predetermined time at the same time as the power supply to the electronic device is cut off; and a releasing means for operating by being supplied with power from the power supply maintaining means and opening the holding means. Mounting mechanism. 2. The locking means locks a lid member that covers an insertion / removal opening of the insertion / removal path when the cartridge is not inserted into the insertion / removal path during a power-on period of the electronic device. The cartridge mounting mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge mounting mechanism is displaced to a position where the cartridge is mounted.